Commodity Importers: Pay China Suppliers Fast
Import raw commodities including grains, metals, minerals, and agricultural products Send CNY payments to China suppliers with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network). Save 83% vs traditional banks.
Save £2,525 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Commodity Importers paying China suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ Alipay available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £1M-£20M monthly volume, save £30,300/year
Common Challenges: Commodity Importers in China
Industry Pain Points
- Commodity price and FX double exposure
- Large volume transactions (£500k-£5M+)
- Futures contract settlement timing
- Storage and demurrage costs
Country-Specific Considerations
- SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required
- Commercial invoices must match payment purpose
- Dual-currency accounting may be needed for large volumes
- Capital controls apply to CNY flows
How Unicorn Solves Commodity Importers Payment Challenges in China
Fast Settlement: T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
Use Alipay for instant CNY settlement.Instant mobile payments, widely accepted by suppliers
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for China regulations.SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required handled automatically.
Commodity Importers Payment Profile
Understanding the payment dynamics of Commodity Importers when paying China suppliers
⏱ Payment Timing
LC at sight standard for bulk commodities. Payment triggers on Bill of Lading. Futures contracts: margin calls and settlement dates.
📄 Invoice Terms
LC at sight (90% of bulk), CAD for established relationships, futures exchange settlement terms. Prepayment rare except spot purchases.
Lumpy, shipment-based. Harvest cycles create seasonal concentration. Futures positions require margin. Storage costs if holding physical.
📊 FX Risk Profile
EXTREME: Double exposure (commodity price + FX). USD pricing standard. BRL, ZAR, AUD volatility. Must hedge both or accept speculation risk.
Trading houses, cooperatives, direct from producers. Exchange-traded relationships. Long-term contracts for supply security. Brokers for spot.
Common Documentation for Commodity Importers
- Bill of Lading (ocean)
- Certificate of Origin
- Quality/Grade Certificate
- Phytosanitary Certificate (agricultural)
- Weight Certificate (independent surveyor)
Popular China Supplier Types for Commodity Importers
Common China Suppliers
- Textile manufacturers (Guangzhou, Shenzhen)
- Electronics suppliers (Shenzhen, Shanghai)
- Machinery manufacturers (Ningbo, Dongguan)
- Consumer goods factories (Yiwu, Foshan)
Payment Tips for China
- Avoid SWIFT fees (3-4%) by using local rails like UnionPay or CIPS
- Schedule payments before Chinese holidays (CNY week shuts down)
- Use freight forwarder as commercial invoice reference
- Lock FX rates before placing large orders to protect margins
Ready to Pay China Suppliers 83% Cheaper?
Join Commodity Importers businesses saving £2,525 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
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